The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 470 - 238: 2014 NBA Trade Deadline_2

Hansen had not come away empty-handed from this All-Star game, as he had heard plenty of rumors.

For example, James was recruiting teammates for this summer’s team assembly.

This included Anthony, whom he had previously wanted to team up with.

In addition to that, Kevin Love, who was a Western starter but hadn’t played in playoffs for years, and Joakim Noah, whose prime had been wasted due to Ross’s injury, were also within his recruitment scope.

He even had interactions with Anthony Davis from the Pelicans.

Clearly, James was not content to just play a supporting role.

Even after Hansen had openly started the feud, whether James could build a new superstar team would determine if he could secure a contract renewal from Nike.

If he ended up making a "Decision 2," it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.

The All-Star game was over, and Hansen had returned to Memphis.

However, once back, he realized something was amiss.

The trade market was now rife with rumors involving trades of Guy and Randolph.

The most prevalent rumors were about a package deal with the Pacers, trading them for Granger, David West, and Lance Stephenson.

This season, Guy was only averaging 16.2 points, while Randolph had 16.1 points and 10.1 boards.

Based on on-court performance, Guy’s contract had become an overpriced one, and Randolph had consistently been a targeted weak spot on defense for the Grizzlies.

Although Granger was a post-injury version, he was a 3D forward who fit well with the Grizzlies.

The key players were West and Stephenson, one could circumvent the Grizzlies’ defensive shortcomings, while the other would significantly deepen the team’s roster.

Moreover, completing this trade would reduce the Grizzlies’ luxury tax to around 20 million dollars, killing two birds with one stone.

These rumors were clearly not unfounded.

He had gone to an All-Star game and came back to find his home nearly gone.

The day after his return, Wallace came to see Hansen.

He was there to tell Hansen that the rumors were true, and the Grizzlies were in talks with the Pacers.

The key now was Hansen’s attitude.

As long as Hansen nodded, the trade could be completed.

"We are finding you better teammates, so you can achieve the Dynasty goal."

Although Hansen was set to leave in the summer, establishing a Dynasty would benefit both Hansen and the Grizzlies.

Hansen shook his head.

"I know you have a hard time letting go of Rudy and Zack, but the trade is more beneficial for us." Even with the luxury tax in play, Wallace truly believed it would make the team better.

"That’s just one aspect; more importantly, I don’t think 20-something games are enough for us to gel." Hansen also shared his reasoning.

Although Guy and Randolph were having some issues this season, this team’s core lineup had stayed intact for four years; there were no issues with their understanding of each other.

"Let’s settle it this way, keep Rudy and Zack." Wallace wanted to say more, but Hansen had already made his final decision.

Two days later, the 2014 All-Star trade deadline arrived.

This year’s trades were mostly minor.

Only two or three major trades took place, and they all involved the 76ers.

Binamu came from Houston to Philadelphia and immediately started a wash-cut-blow routine, prompting the 76ers’ supermarket to open, continuing their roster clearance.

One trade had the 76ers sending Holiday to New Orleans for two first-round picks from the Pelicans and some contract-fillers.

Additionally, the 76ers also sent their starting center Hawes to the Cavaliers.

This was to help them chase the playoffs while also removing a potential draft competitor.

The last major trade involved the 76ers and Pacers, where they traded the second pick of 2010, Evan Turner, and Lavoy Allen for Granger and a second-round draft pick.

Turner was up for renewal, and since the 76ers were set on tanking, they definitely wouldn’t offer him a big contract.

Reportedly, Granger would reach a buyout agreement with the 76ers and then join a team with playoff prospects.

The day after the trade deadline, the Grizzlies resumed their regular training after a holiday break.

Hansen was still very strict during training, even more so than before.

Because the moment Wallace laid the trade proposal on his desk for him to make a choice, an "if" arose.

If the Grizzlies made a choice on this trade deadline day, or chose not to make one, how different the outcome would be.

If the Grizzlies’ dynasty ultimately succeeded, this "if" would be insignificant.

But if the Grizzlies’ dynasty failed in the end, this "if" would be significant.

On the flip side, this was also one of the reasons Hansen chose not to trade.

Even if the original teammates were in poor form, they were loyal to him, and he could push harder behind the scenes.

New teammates, however, were different. A fallout from a conflict was likely, as they were fresh additions, indifferent to the success or failure of a dynasty.

Especially Stephenson, who the Pacers put on the trading block because of his desire to start, would bring even bigger uncertainties to the Grizzlies.

So, no matter what choice Hansen made, he could only lead the team to complete the dynasty.

With such a background, he had no time to worry about team relationships.

"Rudy, have you forgotten how to play basketball after resting for an entire All-Star weekend?"

"Zack, why do your feet always seem glued to the floor? Move it!"

"Mark, how many times have I told you not to jump rashly? You must adapt to the new rules, keep your feet glued to the floor!"

...

Hansen’s berating echoed across the Grizzlies’ practice court.

After a season, Joerger and the others had grown accustomed to it.

By the time training ended, the whole team was drenched in sweat.

This training intensity could indeed switch anyone instantly from vacation mode to work mode.

Hansen was drinking water when Guy approached him.

Hansen wasn’t surprised; on today’s training, the most scolded person was Guy.

He was ready to face Guy’s complaints.

Unexpectedly, Guy simply sat down with a smile and then invited him over to his house.

Was this guy plotting a trap for him?

Nevertheless, Hansen eventually nodded in agreement; he had no reason to decline such an invitation.

After ending the training, Hansen and Guy went to his house together.

Since it wasn’t Hansen’s first visit, he knew his way around.

Guy’s girlfriend, who by that time must have been his fiancée, greeted Hansen warmly.

It was during her cooking that Guy invited Hansen to the study for a chat.

Once they were in private, the first thing Guy said was a thank you.

Hansen was somewhat confused. Had Guy been admonished to the point of not being able to think straight?

"Chris told me, it was you who stopped the trade, because you’d rather believe in us," Guy said, revealing the reason to Hansen.

Because Hansen had played the villain this season, a rift with his teammates was inevitable.

But at the crucial moment, Guy and the others realized that the one who truly cared for them was still Hansen.

In fact, one significant reason for the poor form of Guy and others this season was the knowledge that they might be traded.

After all, they had been put on the trading block last season, and this season, facing a huge luxury tax, not knowing whether Hansen would leave next season or if the players would pay this season’s luxury tax, they thought it was normal to feel they might be traded.

Why bother trying hard if they were destined to be traded away?

The matter of Hansen leaving next season couldn’t be discussed in advance.

But in the end, they stayed because Hansen insisted on keeping them. What must their feelings be?

Grateful, and still grateful.

Hansen didn’t expect this non-trade to bring about these changes.

Because Guy’s current attitude had already moved from opposition to accepting the villain role Hansen played on the team.

He took the opportunity to say, "Rudy, having a meal doesn’t mean much. If you truly want to thank me, let me see the version of you from last season in the upcoming games, the one who told everyone ’I got this’ in the finals."